Arithmetical card game



E. C. WATERHOUSE. ARITHMETICAL CARD GAME. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, I919.

w w S g 2 I III 33 F III 5 t T Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELLA o. WATERQHOUQSVEQOF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

7' ARITI-IMETICAL CARD GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

Application filed March 29, 1919. Serial No. 286,009.

playing the game, learn to add, subtract multiply and divide.

The object of the invention is to so construct each card of the set that with an initial two numbers or figures, one to operate on, hereafter called the operated number, the other to operate with, hereafter called the operating number, embodied in a given card, together with suitable other numbers dependentthereon, games involving the four different mentioned,-hereafter referred to as the standard arithmetical operations may be played, two from one side of the card and two from the other.

In carrying out the invention, a'completc set of cards is provided, about fifty in number, involving operating numbers and the operated numbers, sufficient to practically teach the multiplication tables up to 12x12, leaving out, for convenience, in order to reduce the size of the pack, the obvious 1 on 1 operations, and the almost equally obvious 10 on some other numberoperations, except the higher ones, 10 11 and 10x12. The cards may, of course, be made to carry any numbers without departing from the invention, but the set described is the one most suitable for children of school age, who are most apt to be interested in a game of this class.

For the purpose of illustrating the construction of each card in the deck, it is only commercially, the operated number 8 is inclosed within a square, while the operating number 11 is not. For convenience of players sitting on opposite sides of the card table, each of these numbers is duplicated on each card; viz., the operating number is printed at each end, while the operated number is printed on each side, but obviously, the game could be played just as well if only one imprint of each number was on this side of the card. The particular position of these numbers on the card is not essential to the game.

On the secondary side of the card, shown in the right hand half of Fig. 1, the operating number is again repeated, preferably in the same type and position as on the initial side of the card. The product of the operating and operated numbers is shown at a particular po1nt, and in some particular way on this secondary side of the card. In

the particular embodiment .of the invention here set forth, theproduct, 88, is printed in the center of the card, the imprint of this product beingduplicated as before for the same reasons. Also, on the secondary side of the card is placed, with a suitable designation either of printing or, in the particular case here illustrated, within a square, the sum of the two numbers on the primary side of the card; viz., 19 within a square. This, again, is duplicated for the same reasons.

The construction and printing of the particular card in question is completely shown in Fig. 1. The remaining figures, 2, 3 and 4, are merely diagrammatic illustrations of the method of playing the game.

Assuming that a game of multiplication is to be played, and that the primary face of the card, shown at the left hand half of Fig. 1, is turned up on the table. The player mentally multiplies 11x8 and turns the card to check his or her result by finding the product 88 in the center of the other side, (Fig. 1.)

hand half of Fig. 3.

turned up on the table, and the player adds 11 and 8 and turns the card over to, as in Fig. 2, find on the other sidethe sum 19 within the square and thus check the answer." Assume that the game of subtractionis to be played. The cards are used with the secondary orblue sidesup, as in the left hand half of Fig. 3. lVhen the card here shown is turned up on the table and the player takes the .nowoperated number 19" and subtracts'fromit the operating number 11, and on turning the card on the face as viewed in the right hand half of Fig. 3, checks the result, 8, in the square on the red side of the card as shown in the right Assume that the game of division to be played. The operator takes the secondary blue side of the card, as shownin l ig. 4,

l and divides the operating number, 11, into the product number 8 8, appearing inthef center of the card which is for this purpose an operated number, and on turning the card checksvthe result with the 8 appearing in the red siderof the right. hand half of Fig.4..

In case there is any question about the foregoing making the numbers on other cardsthan that shown entirely clear, the following table, made from afew cards taken at random from the pack, will do so:

Primary side i i Secondary sid.

It will beseen that by' playing' with the primary or red side of the cards up, children Y ..may play at will the games involving reprinciple-of this invention is concerned it is It may be noted that so far as the broad unnecessary that addition be performed on the primary side of the card, and subtraction on the secondary side. For instance, take a card with 2 as the operating number and 12 as the operated number on the primary side. The productof these, is of course, 2% which would be in the center of the secondary side. By putting the numeral 10 in the square on the secondary side the game can beplayedto multiply and divide as in the preferred form shown in the drawings and then play subtraction on the primary side, viz.,.take 2 from 12 which is 10, which is shown on the secondary side and play additionon the secondary side, 'viz.,110 plus '2 equals 12, which is shown .on the primary side. I

Having thus described my invention what I claim'as newand desire to secure by Let- .ters Patent, is v V In a device of the class described, a card showing on its primary side an operating number and a difl'erently designated operated number, and on its secondary side the same operating number and two differentlydesignated operated numbers, one of the latter. being the product otthe two numbers on the primary side of the card, the other being their algebraic sum, for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name .1n the presence of two lwitnesses.

' i ELLA O WATERHOUSE.

' *Witnessesz' h DWIGHT B. 'CHEEVER," Y M. S. RosnNzwEIG. Y 

